9 things to know about Wichita schools as another year kicks off

Wednesday is the first full day of school for about 50,000 students in Wichita, the state’s largest district.

Before the yellow buses hit the streets, here are nine things you should know:

1. Earlier start times

The morning bell will ring 10 minutes earlier for Wichita students this fall after school board members approved a plan intended to get elementary students out of class before the afternoon rush hour.

That means Northeast Magnet High School and several magnet middle schools will start at 6:50 a.m. Most secondary and K-8 schools will start at 7:50 a.m., and most elementary schools will begin at 8:50 a.m.

Schools also will release students 10 minutes earlier – at 2:30, 3:30 or 4:30 p.m.

2. New administration

Superintendent Alicia Thompson begins her first school year in the district’s top post this fall, after being appointed to replace John Allison.

Other new district-level administrators include Gil Alvarez, assistant superintendent of secondary schools; Michele Ingenthron, assistant superintendent of elementary schools; and Chris Wendt, executive director of elementary schools.

More than a dozen Wichita schools will have new principals this fall. Eric Hofer-Holdeman is the new principal of Northwest High School. Jeff Freund, former principal at Coleman Middle School, has replaced Hofer-Holdeman at Mayberry, and Eric Filippi has replaced Freund at Coleman.

3. New headquarters

Over the summer, Wichita moved its administration offices to the former Southeast High School at Lincoln and Edgemoor.

School board members voted more than two years ago to sell the old headquarters building, 201 N. Water, to developer David Burk, who plans to turn the building into loft apartments. Converting the former Southeast High into administrative offices cost about $3.7 million.

4. Discount bus passes

Starting this fall, it will be cheaper and easier for Wichita middle school and high school students to ride a city bus to school.

Through a new partnership between Wichita Transit and the school district, students can buy discounted city bus passes for traveling to school and elsewhere. The passes are $20 a month – less than half the regular price.

Passes may be purchased at some schools and at the Wichita Transit administrative office, 777 E. Waterman. Bus-route maps and free travel training will be available during open house events at the schools.

For more information, including information about routes and transfers, call Wichita Transit at 316-265-7221.

5. Behavior issues

District leaders say improving student behavior is a top priority, after data showed that the number of suspensions, detentions and other discipline incidents increased substantially over the past four years.

The trend is especially dramatic in elementary schools, where the number of discipline incidents increased more than 53 percent.

A plan presented to school board members last month calls for schools to clarify expectations, monitor discipline data more carefully and help teachers better understand students’ diverse backgrounds. The district also plans to ramp up teacher recruitment and retention, with a focus on placing more veteran teachers in high-poverty schools.

6. Teaching social-emotional skills

Beginning this fall, all Wichita elementary school students will get daily lessons on social and emotional skills as part of Second Step. The district paid $238,000 for the program, which is being financed through funds targeted toward at-risk and special education students.

During 20-minute lessons conducted by their classroom teacher, students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will talk about how to understand and manage their emotions, be aware of others’ feelings and make responsible decisions. Some secondary schools will pilot a Second Step program for older students.

Interpersonal skills are expected to be a higher priority for public schools across Kansas, following a new vision statement that emphasizes non-academic skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and communication.

7. Fidget spinners

Toward the end of last school year, fidget spinners started appearing en masse in classrooms.

Some teachers said the hot toy – a device that fits in the palm of your hand and spins on a ball bearing – became a distraction, and dozens of schools in parts of the country banished them from classrooms.

Wichita district officials said there’s been no flat-out directive regarding fidget spinners, which originally were designed as a tool for students with attention deficit disorder or sensory issues. Rather, they let principals decide whether and how to manage the craze.

“As with other items, they shouldn’t be out during class, and students should pay attention to school,” said district spokeswoman Susan Arensman.

8. School board election

Four seats on the Wichita school board are up for grabs in the Nov. 7 general election, which is a districtwide vote.

Two board members – Lynn Rogers and Joy Eakins – are not seeking re-election. Mike Rodee and Betty Arnold have filed to run again.

Arnold, who is seeking her third full term, will have an opponent for the first time in her re-election bid – Ben Blankley, an engineer for Spirit AeroSystems. Peter Grant, who ran unsuccessfully against Rodee in 2013, is vying for the District 5 seat again.

Three people have filed to run in Eakins’ District 2, which covers much of east Wichita: Julie Hedrick, Trish Hileman and Debra Washington. Three people also have filed for Rogers’ seat in District 6: Walt Chappell, Shirley A. Jefferson and Ron Rosales.

9. Teacher contract

Wichita teachers once again will begin the school year with their contract in dispute.

Contract talks between the district and officials with United Teachers of Wichita, which represents about 4,200 certified employees, began earlier this month.

Teachers have proposed a 10 percent increase to the salary schedule as well as moving all teachers to their appropriate level for steps, tracks and longevity. At the initial meeting, district officials proposed a 1.5 percent pay raise and unfreezing longevity pay, an annual bonus given to teachers with more than 14 years experience in the district.

This story was originally published August 18, 2017 at 2:13 PM with the headline "9 things to know about Wichita schools as another year kicks off."